Black Mamba was the late Kobe Bryant’s alter ego. Kobe died suddenly and tragically in a helicopter crash in January. The black mamba was initially a nickname he gave himself to separate his professional life on the basketball court from his personal life off the court. So, while things were falling apart in his personal life. The Black Mamba handled business on the court. This is who he became when he stepped on the court and where he let out his anger and frustration. Keep reading to learn how you can use the black mamba identity to create the life you want.

You don’t have to be a Kobe fan or a Black Mamba fan or even a basketball or sport fan to truly appreciate how Kobe dominated the game and his life. His Black Mamba mindset and work ethic were beyond reproach. You cannot argue with that. His wisdom transcended sports in a way that was unheard of or seen. The beauty of this is that Kobe gave us a blueprint to follow on how to be successful in all areas of our life (with a little help from an alter ego of course) and become the greatest version of ourselves regardless of what life has thrown at us. That is the power of taking on an alter ego. An alter ego allows you to do things that you don't think that you can do.  

"I had to separate myself. It felt like there were so many things coming at once. It was just very, very confusing. I had to organise things. So I created The Black Mamba."

Kobe’s Black Mamba alter ego was inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s 2003 blockbuster hit movie 'Kill Bill'. This was the code name for the assassin in the movie. There is a scene during the movie where the assassin used a black mamba snake to kill another character. That scene in the movie planted the seed which drove Kobe to learn everything about this poisonous snake from Africa known for its agility and aggressiveness. 

“So Kobe has to deal with these issues, all the personal challenges. The Black Mamba steps on the court and does what he does. I’m destroying everybody that steps on the court.”

Kobe loved everything about the black mamba, “the length, the snake, the bite, the strike, the temperament." He saw those qualities in himself. In his mind, "when he stepped on that court, he become that killer snake and was stone cold." And just like that, he wanted to embody those qualities of the snake. That is who he wanted to be. It was the perfect description of how he wanted his game to be on the court. So, from that realization every time Kobe stepped on the basketball court, he became the black mamba. What further fascinated Kobe was the idea of snakes shedding their skin. This resonated with him deeply. Because in many ways that is what he was trying to do in his personal life. The black mamba allowed Kobe to leave what was happening in his personal life off the court.

"I went from a person who was at the top of his game, had everything coming, to a year later, having absolutely no idea where life is going.”

Just like snakes shed their skin, you want to shed the “skin” of your breakup. So, you can let go the layers of hurt, pain, embarrassment, betrayal and anger. This is exactly what Kobe did. Kobe shed his “skin” by creating the black mamba persona. It was the only way Kobe could mentally move beyond the events that tarnished his reputation and the negativity that those events spawned. So, by creating this alter ego to deal with a difficult time in his life, to separate his personal life from his professional life Kobe was able to dominate the game by applying the characteristics of the black mamba on the court. This is the exact same thing I did with my breakup and what you can do also!

“The mindset isn’t about seeking a result—it’s more about the process of getting to that result. It’s about the journey and the approach. It’s a way of life. I do think that it’s important, in all endeavors, to have that mentality.”

There are 5 pillars to Kobe's legendary mamba mentality mindset. They are passion, obsession, relentlessness, resiliency, and fearlessness. Kobe’s Black Mamba alter ego and mindset became the central theme behind brand both on and off the court. It dominated his life after her retired from the game. And became the impetus for launching the Mamba League youth basketball league and the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Academy to nurture young athletic talent. He parlayed it into his writing, storytelling, books and animated films.

Here is how you can use the 5 pillars of the mamba mindset to rise up from the ashes of your breakup and level up your life. 

1. Find your ultimate passion. The one thing you are insanely passionate about. Use it to fuel you forward in your life.
2. Become your number one obsession. Yes become totally and unapologetically obsessed with yourself. You are your most valuable asset. Time to step out in front and own your awesomeness.
3. Be relentless in pursuing your passion and what makes you happy.
4. Remind yourself of how strong and resilient you are. Your breakup doesn't have to break you. Use it to build you. As I like to say, use what doesn't break you to bank. 
5. Most importantly be fierce, fearless and fabulous. 

What you do with your breakup is 100% up to you. I decided to bank from mine. Crazy as that sounds, it was the best decision I have ever made in my life! And truth, I have not looked back. Both my ex and my breakup are in the rear view mirror of my life exactly where they belong. When it comes to your ex, they have no say in how you move on. They gave up the right to chime in on anything concerning you. They no longer have access to what you do in your life. Their access has been revoked, denied, cancelled...whatever you want to call it. The only person's who's opinion matters is your own. The only person's permission you need is yours. Now is the time to create the life you've always wanted. So what life will you create?

Thank you for sharing your life and lessons both on and off the basketball court for the last 20 plus years and leaving an indelible mark on the world. Most importantly, thank you for leading by example and gifting us your legacy. Gone, but never forgotten. Mamba Forever…The Legacy Continues

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